Electrical switch.



F. T. KOBAYASHI.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I1. 191s.

1 ,246,282.. Patented Nov. 13, 1.917.

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ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

I APPLICATION FILED IAN. I7. ISIS. 1,246,282. i Patented N0v..13,1917.-

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FRANK TEIJIRO KOBAYASEI, OF KENILWQRTH, "UTAH, n

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent. l

Patented Nov. 13, 1917.

Application filed January 17, 19l6.- Serial No. 72,475.

To. all tzr/ioni t may concern Be it known that I, FRANK T. KoBAYAsiii, a citizen of theJapanese Empire, residing at Kenilworth, in the county of Salt Lake and' State of Utah, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical Switches, of which the following is a specitication.

This invention has for aii object to provide an improved form of electrical switch, and especially one fitted for use with the familiar pull cord, although it is adaptable to operation by other means, as will be readily understood. It is an important aim to provide a device of this kind adapted to be incorporated in the canopy of familiar forms employed in ceiling. and wall fix tures. It is therefore an especially important aim to provide a device of this kind which can be coinpactly embodied in an annular space of limited size.

An important purpose of the invention is to enable the installation without coniplication of structural details of fixtures ordinarily employed at present, and among additional objects and advantages are the following: Y

To providey a novel skeleton or frameof insulating material for carrying the parts of the switch. The provision of an improved form of oscillating switch element.

A novel means for operating the switch,-

combining the elements of .safety and eliiciency, the operating means being effectively insulated from the switch, and the operation of the device being extremely positive, simple and easy. Novel construction of switch terminal parts of utility. Novel assembly relation of the parts whereby great economy in the construction and assemblage of the switch is attained, while making ally parts easily accessible.

Additional objects, advantages and features of invention will appear frointhe construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter set forth and'shown in the drawings, where,

Figure 1 is an elevation of the switch installed, with a portion of the canopy broken away,

Fig. 2 is a similar view at right angles to Fig. i,

Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the switch,

detached, with its cover, Y

Fig. 4 is a top view of the switch, de-

tached, lwith the cover thereon,

Fig.' is ahorizontal section on theliiie Fig. 10 is a detail of the switch arm asfV sembly, Y Y

F ig. 11 is a perspective of the double switch contact element,

Fig.'12 is a similar view of the single switch contact element,

Fig. 1Q?L is an end view of the last-named element,

Fig. 13 is a detail elevation ofthe switch pivot frame,

F ig. 14 isa diagramy of the wiring,

Fig. 15 is a sideV view of the bracket for the switch actuator,

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the .insu-Y lating block.

The parts are shown full size.

There is illustrated a crow foot 10 of familiar form, into which is screwed a fixture pipe 11 of the ordinary kind. @ver the lower part of the pipe 11 the ornamental tube l2 customarily of brass is engaged, and l upon this is slidable the collar 13 of the canopy 14 which is shown in. a shape and size formally approximating that ofthe canopies usually einployedin Vsuch situa-r tions; The canopy is held in place by the customary set screw 15 engagedthrough the collar- 13.

The foundation body for the switch in the present instance comprises two porcelain an-V mili 16 and 17 respectively carried at the top and bottom of a cylinder 18 of similar material interposed therebetween. The annuli 16 and 17 `are held together by certain switch elements to he described. At one side of the switch an actuator frame 19 is mounted, hav- 3';

ing` an outer vertical portion ,20, the upper partiof which is odset beginning at a point about one third its height fromV the bottom,

and two inwardly extending arms 2,1 at top and bottom respectively, drilled and tapped to receive theV assembly screws 22 engaged through the porcelaine 16 and 17. The offset portion isthiCkenedat its lower part, which is approximately midwayof the height of the frame, as at 23, .the thickened portion: being tapped to receive a piiitle screw Q4. whichprojeets a distanceinwardlyrof they inner part of the vertical piece 20, the inner end of the screw being formed with a small bearing 25, the adjacent out'er portion of the screw being cylindrical and smoothly iin ished to form a bearing for a rocker wheel 26. This wheel 26 is provided onv the side next the frame 19 with check blocks 27 diametrically spaced and shaped to engage opposite sides of the lower vertical portion 20 alternately under'rotary oscillation through an arc of 90 degrees. A helical torsion and expanding spring 28 is confined between the upper oii'set portion of the part 20 of the frame 19 and the wheel 26, having one end engaged over the shoulder 29 formed at the lower part of the offset, and its other end engaged with one of the blocks 27. By this spring the wheel is pressed inwardly against the crank wheel 30, engaged revolubly on the bearing 25, the rocker wheel being provided in its outer face with ratchet notches 31 in which suitable ratchet teeth 3'2 formed on the inner side of the wheel Q6 may engage, there being four of the notches equally spaced on thecrank wheel. At its inner side a crank pin 33 is provided, suitably located on the wheel 30 for the purposes to be described.

1n a plane parallel to the wheels before mentioned, the cylinder 18 may be liattened as at 34, if desired. A switch pivot frame 35 is provided, having a lower plate 36 secured to the bottom portion 17, its outer end 37 being turned upwardly in a plane spaced sulightly outward of the flattened side of the cylinder and parallel thereto, being apertured and receiving a pintle screw 38, upon which a switch arm 39 is pivoted, having a block 40 of insulating material fixed therein and formed with a longitudinal slot 41 receiving the cranlr pin 33, as shown, the block serving as a stop for the wheels 26 and 30 which are forced theretoward by the spring 218 before mentioned. The slot 41 in the block 40 is lined with a thin steel slide bearing collar 42, conforming to the shape ofthe slot, and extending from one side to the other of the block. The pivot frame 35 extends upwardly adjacent the opposite side of the cylinder 18 from the switch, as at 44, (Fig. 2) a binding screw 4.5 being provided centrally thereof1 in a suitable inset portion 46 upon the frame, and at the upper part an arm 47 is run horizontally, tapped to receive the assembly screw 4S engaged through the upper porcelain. The. lower plate 36 similarly receives screws 48. The frame piece 35 may be formed of one strip ofsheet metal bent to the conformation shown.

T he switch arm 39 is formed of one piece of sheet metal, having at its base a rectangular piece 49, suitably apertured to receive the pintle screw 38, its intermediate portion being formed with an offset arm 49', extending from the arm 37 to the base of a. contact tongue 39, at one side, while at the other the intermediate portion comprises a swinging arm similarly joined to the tongue 39, but free at its inner end,'extending diagonally outward, but adapted to be pressed inwardly against the rectangular piece 49, forming thereby an enlarged oblong opening 51 in the arm 39. The insulator block 40 is shaped to conformvto the shape of this opening 51 when the arm 50 is pressed toits innermost aosition, and the blockis grooved, peripherally, the base of the groove corresponding in size to the size of the opening 51, while the outer parts provide flanges which engage the sides ofthe switch arm to prevent displacement of the'block. The parts of the switch arm described are held in engaged position by means of a small yoke 53, comprising simply a small rectangular plate of sheet metal having edge portions turned upwardly so as V to receive the base 49 and arm 50 snugly therebetween when ypressed together, and being apertured in register with an aperture through the base 49 to receive the pintle screw 38, which is threaded in the upstand ing arm 37 of the frame 35, a lock nut 54 being engaged on the end of the pintle screw 38 to prevent it from turning. rlhe outer end of the tongue 39 of the switch is bent inwardly at right angles to form a contact piece coperating with contact points to be described. Y v

At the opposite side of the appliance from the frame 35 a two point contact element'is provided, comprising a vertical bar 60 spaced a short distance inwardly .from the plane of the switchparm 39, located closelyY adjacent the cylinder 18, and having at topk lower limitef its movements, as at 63. The

plate 61lias a contact tongue 64 of a similar form thereon directly above the one 63. and positioned to engage the contact piece on the switch arm when at the upper limit of its 'movement The plate 61 extends across the under side of the upper porcelain 16 in a direction at right angles to the plane of the switch arm, and its extremity is turned down and provided with a binding screw 65, by which suitable wiring connections may be made. The plates 61 and 6:2 are tapped at 61 and 62', to receive assembly screws, by vwhich the two point element may be attached to the upper and lower porcelains 16 and 17 respectively. Y

Mounted on the lower porcelain 17 spaced outwardly of the plate 62 from the plane ofV portion 73 having the'bindingscrew` 74k therein, and alateral extensionf, projected towardfthefswitch sol as to lie in close -engagementand-'overlapped relation with the end of" the switch whenin an intermediate position; the extren'iityot' the 'extension having zoutwardly *turnedV lips` 76 to allow proper sliding of the switch end thereon.

yThe'loweriporcelam17 is formed withl a 'diagonali passage :8O therethrough, lon aline extending?v above` the lower plate Qlof the actuator trame, and running i downward. The passage opens through abeve'led tace 81 adjacent the edge of theI lower porcelain. on

its vunder side. The lower plateQl of the actuator trame isprovided with an extension S3, bentupwardly to liein aplane at right-angles to the axis of the-passage, and is formed with va threaded openingA conforming to tliesize yofthe passage, `inwhich there is threaded the inner end yot'. afguide tube Sil, `havingzi-'flared lower end, through which there is-engaged the cord suoli as is customarily used in pull switches, va suitable ball SG being attached to its lower end,1while the upper end of the cordiis passed partly around the wheel 26 and attached thereto, so that upon pulling the cord the wheel will be rotated against the actionV ot the spring'QS.

In use, the parts of the fixture, before attachment to the crow toot or hickey, are assembled in the customary manner, the ornamental tube 12 being cut off short enough to leave a portion ot the pipe 11 projecting thereabore to allow a. metal retaining collar to be slipped thereon and the porcelainv skeleton of the switch engaged thereover, leaving a part of the pipe projecting above the switch skeleton for engagement with the crow toot or hickey. t desired, a dust cap 91 may be provided to engage over the switch, the cap comprising a cylinder of paper with a top piece 92 having an enlarged opening therethrough, at its center, and provided with the necessary number of openings 93 therearound to receive wires passing to the switch. in the present instance, a. three wire switch being shown, three small openings are formed in the cap, and either before or after engagement of the wires with the proper binding screws, the switch may be engaged on the upper end of the pipe 11... After the wires have been connected the dust. cap is adjusted in position and the pipe 11 screwed into the crow toot or hickey, as the case may be. In the initial adjustment of the device the guide tube is detached, and after the switch is secured in place in any well known way, the guide is engaged through a suitable aperture in the canopy. inserted through the passage SO and engaged with the apertured lug 83 ot' the actuator frame. The ccrd in the initial assembly operation is permanently attached to the wheel 26, without the ball at its outer ball is attached.

The-use of the switch willbe readily Aunderstood by those wor-kino' inthe art,- but it. maybe stated-that in-thej'nesent embodimentfof the switclrone wire 95,1isled from the lamp socket or circuit in t-he'ixtureto thebinding-screw on the pirct traine, while fromlthe'other side ofthe socket or circuit inthe fixture the wire-'96 lleads directly to the main line circuit. From the contact 70Y as shown in the diagram a wire 97 ,leads to a similar contactv element in a wall switch 98, diagrammatically illustratechand fromthe binding screw 65 awire 99 leads toa corresponding terminal on the point wall switch ot' fami-liar construction for operation, from the switch arm 1010i' 'scribe' the pipe, and at the same time an eilicient switch mechanism of an economical construction is presented. Vith the exception of the upper part of the actuator frame, all metallic elements of the switch proper, binding posts and operating parts alike are contained within the projection ofthe boundaries of the upper and lower porcelaine 16 and 17 in the direction of their axis. By beveling the lower porcelain at the lower side, it is adapted to conform to the shape of the canopy in case of a close lit. At the same time there is ample accommodation for connections and portions of wire which are required to project through the crow toot or hickey.

What is claimed:

l. A switch ot the class described comprising an annular insulating body, a switch arm mounted thereon for oscillation in the mean direction of the axis ot' the annulus, and within a projection of the annulus in the direction of its axis, and without the like projection of the edge of the orifice of the annulus, contact means fixed upon the annulus laterally ot the switch arm between said projections, means for making electrical connections with the switch and contacts, and means to operate the switch.

2. A switch ot' the class described comprising concentric upper and lower annular foundation elements, an actuator trame secured therebetween at one side between proj eotions of the periphery of the annuli and their orilices concentric with their axis, a switch element pivoted on the frame for oscillation between said projections. and located close to the projection ofthe orifices, a switch operating mechanism beside said switch within the space between said projections, contact and terminal elements carried between the annuli within the space between said projections in cooperative association with the switch element, and means for making electrical connections with the switch.

3. In a switch, a switch body having an enlarged opening therethrough, one side portion of the opening being disconnected, a grooved block of insulating material shaped to conform to and engaged in said opening with the edge portions around said opening engaged in the groove, said block constructed for engagement of an operating member,

and means to hold the side portion ot' the body snugly engaged in the groove of the block.

4E. In a switch, a switch body comprising a base plate, a side portion, an outer portion, and an inwardly projecting portion in spaced relation to the said side portion; a peripherally grooved block between the said side portion and the said inwardly extending portion and receiving the two last mentioned-,portions in its groove, a plate having inturned edge portions engaging the extremity of said inwardly extending portion and the far side of the switch body, and means to secure said 1Jlate to the body.

5. A switch of the class described comprising upper and lower annular insulator bases, a concentric cylindrical element therebetween, a pivot trame extendingtherebetween and attached to each of the bases and having an extension provided with a terminal binding device, a switch arm pivoted on the pivot frame' in a plane at right angles to said extension, an actuator frame beside the switch connected to said insulator bases, means on the last named frame to operate the switch arm, a contact element at the side of the device opposite the pivot frame also connected to the insulator bases, and means to hold the switch on a pipe inserted through the insulator bases.

In testimony whereof I have aliixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK TEIJIRO KOBAYASHI.

Witnesses GEORGE ECENROAD, E. A. Rien.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

